Girls Twiddling Knobs

Inside this very special 50th episode of the podcast and the Season 02 finale, Isobel takes a trip to the most famous recording studios in the world, Abbey Road, to celebrate their 90th Birthday. Join her and in-house Assistant Engineer, Marta Di Nozzi, for a binaural walking tour of this historic building’s three main studios and the amazing music that’s been recorded there. Whether it’s Amy Winehouse’s time recording in Studio 3, The Beatles’ love of Studio 2 or the many large scale film scores that have come to life in Studio 1, Abbey Road has many tales to tell. 

And, after getting the 3D experience of all these spaces and finding out about all the wonderful vintage gear housed inside, Isobel sits down with Marta in Abbey Road’s Gatehouse studio to hear how she got into working with sound and why Abbey Road is such a special place to work. Of course, Isobel picks Marta’s brains on her top recording tips and also the initiatives at Abbey Road to help make recording and production more diverse and inclusive too.

This is a real treat of an episode, so stick it in your ears now.

And, Happy Birthday Abbey Road!

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{02:13} Brief history of Abbey Road Studios
{08:00} Meet our tour guide - Marta Di Nozzi
{11:17} Studio Three Live Room
{17:18} Studio Three Control Room
{22:22} Studio Two Control Room
{27:03} Studio Two Live Room - live recording setting up
{34:21} Studio One Live Room
{45:04} Studio One Control Room
{48:12} Why is Studio One Marta’s favourite space?
{52:48} The Gatehouse
{54:26} How Marta got started in sound engineering
{58:50} Studio vs. Live recording
{01:01:06} What makes Abbey Road so special?
{01:09:08} Equalise Programme - encouraging gender diversity in sound engineering
{01:18:58} Marta’s Top Tips for Home Recording
{01:26:17} Episode Summary

Find out more about Abbey Road Studios >>

Find out more about Marta Di Nozzi >>

Download the Waves X Abbey Road Chamber Reverb plugin >>

Download the Waves X Abbey Road Reverb Plates plugin >>

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Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Delay is one of those plugins that can be deceptively tricky in music production: use too much and it can sound gimmicky; use it without knowing what you're trying to achieve and it can sound silly, and;, not understanding all it's capabilities beyond something that makes things sound... 'echoey' 🤷‍♀️ can mean you miss a music production trick.

But have no fear, because inside this week’s episode, Isobel is helping us get to grips with what delay is, when you might use it in your tracks and also how to practically apply it in your next recording project.

We're talking tape delay, slap echo, ping-pong delay and more and all with an added discussion around what the Greek nymph Echo has to do with feminism and music technology.

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Hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:44} How Delay Occurs in the Real World
{07:30} How Delay was Developed in Audio Production
{08:29} What About Delay Plugins Inside your DAW?
{10:35} Why Use Delay In Music Production?
{11:55} How to Stop Delay Sounding Gimmicky!
{14:54}  Summary

Download your FREE PDF Guide, 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording your Music, Right Now HERE >>
Echo Vs. Reverb, The Physics Classroom article >>
Echo in Greek Mythology on Britanica.com >>
How High the Moon, Les Paul and Mary Ford (1951) >>
Maestro Echoplex tape delay unit >>
Roland Space Echo tape delay unit >>
AMS DMX digital delay unit >>
Boss DD-2 digital delay pedal >>
Listen to Effortless Pain Relief >> and With You >>
Learn more about different types of delay affects here >>
Listen to King Tubby’s Jah Jah Dub here >>
Listen to Cornelius Wataridori here >>
Listen to Episode 05 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with SJAE here >>

Listen to the episode here

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Beirut has a troubled recent past with sectarian violence making ‘normal’ life feel increasingly difficult. Nour was born in this vibrant city, and upon returning to Lebanon’s capital city, something fitted into place and she was immediately inspired by the ever shifting soundscape. 

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Inside this week’s episode, Isobel examines the fascinating process of sound synthesis, including what it is, how it was developed, the women who have played a vital role in this technology and then, lastly, how you can start incorporating it into your own music too.

Isobel also highlights two contemporary female artists doing interesting things with sound synthesis right now, and all of the music mentioned in this episode of the podcast will be added to our fab new Girls Twiddling Knobs playlist too!

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:40} What is Sound Synthesis?
{09:11} How/When Did Sound Synthesis Start?
{12:05} Female pioneers of Sound Synthesis
{14:04} Contemporary Women Making Music with Synths
{15:27} New developments in Sound Synthesis
{17:33} Best Ways to Start Using Sound Synthesis in your Music
{20:33} Episode Summary

Listen to the Girls Twiddling Knobs Playlist on Spotify >>

A helpful summary of audio synthesis >>
Read more about the beginnings of Sound Synthesis >>
Read more about the female pioneers of electronic music >>
Watch the Sisters with Transistors Documentary >>
Watch the Delia Derbyshire docu-drama The Myths and Legendary Tapes >>
Find out more about Daphne Oram >>
Find out more about Delia Derbyshire >>
Find out more about Suzanne Ciani >>
Find out more about Laurie Spiegel >>
Listen to Episode 22 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with Hannah Peel >>
Listen to Episode 34 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with Melody Loveless >>
Listen to Georgia’s album Seaking Thrills (2020) >>
Check out the NESS Research Project at the University of Edinburgh >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Inside this week’s episode, Isobel explores how to make a change of direction with your sound. There’s lots of reasons we might hit this fork in the road with our music but how can we get clear on the new direction to take moving forward? Isobel draws from contemporary artists who have made big changes in their music and looks at what’s worked for them and also when there’s been some backlash too.

Finally, you’ll be walked through an exercise you can do at home to get clearer on if you’re ready for a change in musical direction and what that might look like for you. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the new musical possibilities when assessing our next step as an artist, but there are ways to find a direction that has real intention and clarity. That’s important for both you and your listeners and this exercise will help you get there.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:26} The 3 W's
{05:48} Why your Music Direction is Important
{09:00} Examples of Artists Who Have Changed Their Sound
{19:36} Where Next? How to make an intentional shift in your musical direction
{24:02} Episode Summary

Read NME’s feature on St Vincent here >>

Read Vanity Fair’s article on Lady Gaga’s album Joanne here >>

Read about Lorde’s Solar Power album in the Independent here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

---------------------------------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Inside this week’s episode, Isobel is joined by experimental artist and producer, Kayla Painter, who’s immersive, ever-evolving AV performances figure into the earliest stages of her music and have taken her to stages, such as The Great Escape, Camp Elsewhere, Bluedot, and the inaugural edition of Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here festival.

Isobel got to sit down with Kayla and hear all about how she started making music, her experiences as a woman in music technology, how she’s stayed true to herself as an artist and much, much more. She also shares the inside scoop on her fabulous new EP, Somewhen, which is an exploration of time and identity through the retro-future sound worlds Kayla Crafts, and she gives us the low down on exactly how she crafts her beats.

This episode is a must listen for any budding electronic producers out there!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:39} Kayla’s journey into electronic music and production
{25:20} Building a career in music
{35:15} Kayla describes her recording space and creative process
{43:44} Exploring themes of time and identity in her new EP, Somewhen
{52:49} Why Kayla decided not to release an album
{01:02:06} The team involved in releasing her EP
{01:11:09} Top 3 tips for programming drum beats
{01:20:30} Episode Summary

Listen to Kayla’s new EP, Somewhen here >>

Check out Kayla’s fab new video for her track Beginnings from the Sea >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Chances are, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 10 years, social media has become a massive part of your life, including your music. But, many musicians say that if it weren’t for needing to stay visible online for their music, they’d probably jack it in. Why?

Well, it’ll come as no surprise that there’s mounting research into how social media has as many negative effects on us as individuals and society as the positive ones that first excited us when it came into our lives. As well as making connections with likeminded people, growing communities and sharing our ideas and our art with a wider audience, there’s a constant pressure to put out content and keep up with the highlights our peers share online. It’s easy to feel like we’re not doing enough or ‘keeping up’.

So, inside this episode, Isobel explores how we as musicians might survive the effects of social media and three key ways to even better enjoy this crucial piece of connecting technology moving forward. Listen in to find out.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{02:25} Scroll through my feed
{03:59} The cold hard truth about social media
{10:42} The colder, harder truth about social media for musicians
{18:09} What social media rewards (and what it doesn’t)
{20:39} 3 ways to better enjoy using social media as a musician
{25:36} Episode Summary

References:

• Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., Griffiths, M. D. (2017). ‘The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: Findings from a large national survey’. Addictive Behaviors, (64), pp.287-293 [Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.006]
  
  
• Booker, C.L., Kelly, Y.J. & Sacker, A. (2018). ‘Gender differences in the associations between age trends of social media interaction and well-being among 10-15 year olds in the UK’. BMC Public Health, 18, pp.321. [Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5220-4]

• Lee, A. (2020). How Musicians' Mental Health Is Affected By Social Media. Classical Music [Available at: https://www.classical-music.uk/resources/article/how-musicians-mental-health-is-affected-by-social-media]
  
  
  
• Muqaddas, J., Sanobia S., Nawaz, A. (2017). ‘Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem’. European Scientific Journal, 13(23), pp.329-341, [Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3030048]

Listen to Episode 23 of the podcast, Why Create if No One’s Watching >>

Check out DIE HEXEN’s IG feed >>

Listen to the episode here

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

An Exclusive Module-by-Module Sneak Peek Into My Signature Program

In all my months of making this podcast, I have never done this.

I’ve NEVER revealed, detail by detail, what’s inside my very special signature programme, Home Recording Academy, to my podcast listeners…until now.

In this extra special, I walk you through my totally unique, female-focussed music tech course — module by module — and explain exactly how Home Recording Academy helps my students gain the vital skills they’ve been missing to finally record their music on their own terms.

I’ll be sharing the lessons, topics, modules, tech, and the mindset taught inside the program. Plus, I’m answering ALL your questions about HRA along the way.

Including:

• What is HRA?
• Who’s right for HRA?
• What exactly does HRA teach? 
• How long does it take to go through HRA (and when can I expect to have my recordings ready to share with the world?) 
• Does HRA teach me the tech in a way I’ll be able to handle/retain/enjoy?
• What kind of results do HRA students actually see after the program?

To be totally honest, I poured out my heart and soul in this episode. 

HRA is transformative. I’ve seen it time and time again with my students…I know the power of this programme. 

So I hope you enjoy this extra special insider’s view into Home Recording Academy because it’s an absolute joy to share my heart’s work with you!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:20} What is HRA?
{05:58} Who is HRA for?
{09:22} What can you learn with HRA and what is included?
{14:32} How are you supported in HRA?
{17:12} What is included in each module?
{22:17} What can you achieve with HRA?
{25:07} Why did I set up HRA?
{30:26} Episode Summary

Enrolment is now open for Home Recording Academy but you only have till 6pm GMT on October 1st to grab your spot inside. Find out more here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Every now and then as a teacher, one of your students shares something with you that truly takes your breath away. That’s exactly what Isobel felt when she first heard multi-instrumentalist Asha McCarthy’s new album Epitaph, which she recorded, produced and mixed from home after completing Isobel’s digital course, Home Recording Academy.

But it wasn’t just the fact that Asha had produced something of such technical quality and delicacy, but also the sheer depth of emotion and meaning within it. Unsurprising once you learn this album came out of birth trauma and is dedicated to her daughter as a result. This life-changing experience helped Asha to drop the perfectionism that had been keeping her stuck for years and share this beautiful album with the world.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{05:11} Asha’s journey into music and production
{13:38} How pressure and perfectionism was holding Asha back
{20:58} Overcoming self-doubt to release her debut album, Epitaph
{29:36} The process of recording, producing and mixing her album from home
{35:19} How Asha’s mindset changed 
{46:02} Asha’s 3 Big Takeaways from Home Recording Academy
{55:10} Episode Summary

Grab your spot on the 3 Key Secrets to Making Pro Recordings of your Music FREE Live masterclass here >>

Listen to Asha’s stunning new album Epitaph here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{05:07} ‘Experts’ are great, aren’t they?
{07:37} Understanding the ‘expert myth’
{10:01} The no. 1 limiting belief that holds women back from becoming their own expert
{10:53} How Carol Dweck’s powerful mindset research can flip the ‘expert myth’ on its head
{15:07} The question you need to ask instead
{16:37} The essential first step you should be taking
{18:13} Episode Summary

Join Isobel’s FREE 5 day challenge, Clean Up Your Recordings (you dirty girl) HERE >>

Check out The Myths of Creativity (2013) by David Burkus HERE >>

Read Carol Dweck’s updated edition of her fascinating book Mindset (2017) HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.